Shot but safe (From Barry And District News)

Shot but safe

A BARRY soldier mortared and shot during a bomb attack in the Gulf has turned up safe and sound.

Nineteen-year-old Ashley Karnicki, who was wounded in the arm, has sent a message home to his frantic family.

Dad Gareth and mum Sonia, of Lucas Close, had heard nothing from the Queen's Dragoon Guard since he was posted to Iraq over six weeks ago - until the terrifying letter landed on the mat.

His devoted sister Lisa Farmer of Pearce Court said: "We hadn't heard from Ashley since the fighting started.

Then last week, a letter came, dated a few days after war broke out. He said he had been mortared and shot.

We were frantic.

"But typical of Ashley, it wasn't until later that he told us 'it was only in the arm' and he was fine."

The twenty-four-year-old added: "We've always been a close family, but having Ashley out there has made us come together even more."

He was given two false starts before finally being sent out, so we had three tearful goodbyes. That was very hard."

The mum-of-two added: "My step-father Gareth, Ashley's dad, and our mum Sonia don't like watching the news.

But my sister Rachel, who is 16, and I are glued to reports hoping we can see him. In our last letter, we ordered him to look out for television cameras and jump in front of them."

Lisa says explaining to her four-year-old son Bradon and his two-year-old sister Casey where Ashley is also difficult.

She said: "Bradon is more aware than Casey, but I've told them Uncle Ashley is at war, fighting so children can be happier.

"I hate hearing reports that soldiers have been hurt or killed, especially as we're not sure where he is right now.

But we've just got to sit tight and wait for him to come home safe."